historical linguistics

noun

(used with a singular verb)

1. the study of changes in a language or group of languages over a period of time.

historical linguistics

noun

1. Also called: diachronic linguistics. (functioning as singular) the study of language as it changes in the course of time, with a view either to discovering general principles of linguistic change or to establishing the correct genealogical classification of particular languages Compare descriptive linguistics

Word History and Origins

Origin of historical linguistics¹

First recorded in 1920–25